Using the index of abdominal respiration to evaluate the breathing state of regiment qigong

Regiment Qigong that controls the body, breathing and mind is used in Chinese traditional culture for the purpose of strengthening the mind and body and development of subconscious abilities. Recently, Regiment Qigong is appearing as one part of an alternative medicine practice for everyday health in various places all over the world. However, we just have begun the scientific elucidation the mechanism of a Regiment Qigong.

We concentrated on the adjustment of respiration that is one element of three controls (above) in Regiment Qigong and defined breath exponent and analyzed the abdominal breathing of two masters of Nai Yang Gong, Qiang Zhuang Gong and Six-Word Practice of Qigong. As a result, we measured the characters of abdominal respiration in the masters and beginners of Regiment Qigong in order to confirm the quality of four required elements (length, depth, thinness, and equilibrium) in controlling the abdominal breathing. We were able to confirm that abdominal respiration during Regiment Qigong was deep and length. During Regiment Qigong, it was also observed that the difference between the inhaling and exhaling for the master was larger than that of the beginner.

In conclusion it was possible to develop a respiration exponent unit qualitative and quantitative analysis of abdominal breathing, and was possible to discuss the health giving properties of abdominal respiration and establish an evaluation index.